When the Yan Family Patriarch heard the Confucian scholar ask all the key questions, a look of approval appeared on his face, and he responded one by one:
“Although our Yan Family ancestors did not bring out the Blood Spirit Art, they held it in extremely high regard in their notes, calling it the foremost demonic technique in the ‘Ten Thousand Spirits True Scripture.’ Once mastered, it would be enough to dominate the six demonic sects, making it one of the most terrifying secret arts in the world. However, this method is too domineering. To prevent backlash, it must be cultivated jointly by one man and one woman through dual cultivation. Moreover, spiritual root aptitude is crucial to determining how many layers one can cultivate. If the aptitude is poor, one can only reach the second or third layer at most, which would be a useless, powerless technique. Thus, Ruyan’s Heavenly Spiritual Root is absolutely the ideal dual cultivation partner they dream of, and the Young Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect also possesses an extremely rare Dark Spiritual Root, making him the perfect physique for cultivating the Blood Spirit Art. With their supreme aptitudes, if they truly dual cultivate the Blood Spirit Art, they will undoubtedly master it to a profound level, and it is even possible for them to sweep across the six sects. That is why the Ghost Spirit Sect is sparing no effort to win us over, even risking revealing the news of their impending invasion of Yue Country to us, all in exchange for a chance for the Ghost Spirit Sect to dominate the entire Tiannan Region.”
“As for how they learned about our Yan Family’s origins, that’s even easier to explain. Before our ancestor passed away, he once sent someone to contact the Ghost Spirit Sect. It’s likely that from that time on, our Yan Family came under their notice. They have probably been planning Ruyan’s matter for a long time. Now, they are seizing this opportunity, using both soft and hard tactics to make our Yan Family agree to this matter.” At this point, the Yan Family Patriarch smiled bitterly. Clearly, he felt quite helpless about the Yan Family ancestor rashly contacting the Ghost Spirit Sect.
“Regarding the impending invasion by the six demonic sects, it was indeed the other side who told us. However, apart from their information, our Yan Family had already sensed something amiss a few days ago regarding the fall of Jiang Country and Cheqi Country. The personnel we placed in those two countries should have sent messages as usual, but to this day, there has been no news. It seems what they said is true. As for how they so easily took the two countries? According to them, several sects in the two countries had long been bribed by the six sects. Thus, with a surprise attack by overwhelming force and internal betrayal, the two countries fell in one stroke. So now, the six sects are likely clearing out the remaining unsubmissive cultivators in the two countries and recuperating before invading Yue Country, as they have certainly suffered some losses.”
“As for the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Country, don’t pin your hopes on them anymore. Shortly before the meeting, I received news that the Righteous Alliance has also invaded a medium-sized country adjacent to them and has almost completely taken it. It seems these two major forces must have made some underhanded deal, which is why they are simultaneously embarking on large-scale expansion.”
The Yan Family elder spoke with clear logic, leaving the audience below utterly astonished and shocked!
“The demonic and righteous paths are simultaneously expanding their influence? Hehe, if that’s really the case, this is truly interesting!” After hearing the Yan Family Patriarch’s words, the Confucian scholar smiled and said something enigmatic.
“Xuanye, what do you mean by that?” A pale-faced elder sitting opposite the Confucian scholar asked impatiently.
“Second Uncle! It’s nothing, just a small conjecture of mine. This conjecture has nothing to do with our Yan Family for now. Let’s first discuss our Yan Family’s current situation!” The Confucian scholar casually waved his hand, dismissing the matter.
“Hmph!” The elder, having been softly rebuffed, glared at the Confucian scholar in annoyance. But in front of the Yan Family Patriarch, he could only reluctantly sit back down.
“Oh? After the meeting, may I hear your little conjecture?” The Yan Family Patriarch, however, became quite interested.
“If the Patriarch wishes to hear it, Xuanye will naturally not hide it.” Seeing this, the Confucian scholar quickly bowed and replied respectfully.
“Good! But first, let’s discuss the matter at hand. With one wrong choice, our Yan Family will either become a stepping stone for others, being annexed, or offend the other side and be completely annihilated by the six sects’ power.” The red-haired elder’s voice also revealed some helplessness. After all, the Yan Family’s strength was still too weak; even with their hidden power, they couldn’t possibly consider resisting head-on.
“Yes! The Patriarch is right. The Yan Family is indeed caught between two fears now! Agreeing to their conditions might lead to us being swallowed by them, but not agreeing means facing their overwhelming power, with endless future troubles!” The Confucian scholar’s eyes showed deep thought.
“But my opinion is still to agree to their conditions and join the Ghost Spirit Sect!” The Confucian scholar said resolutely.
Before some members of the Yan Family could voice their objections, he continued, “Everyone has been dwelling on the dire consequences of not agreeing to their terms. But have we considered whether we can actually gain sufficient benefits from the Seven Sects if we refuse? As far as I know, while the Seven Sects appear friendly on the surface, they secretly fear that the Yan Family’s growth threatens their interests. In recent years, they have been subtly suppressing our family in various ways. Even if we reject the Ghost Spirit Sect’s conditions and even disclose the news of the demonic invasion to the Seven Sects, I doubt we would gain much. After all, the interests of the State of Yue have long been carved up among the Seven Sects—why would they ever relinquish any of it to the Yan Family? Moreover, this time, the Six Sects are jointly invading the State of Yue. Even if the Seven Sects of Yue enlist cultivators from other countries to resist the demonic path together, I still believe their chances of victory are slim. Aligning with the winning side is the only way for our Yan Family to survive. After all, if we side with the losers, any promises made beforehand would be meaningless.”
Similarly, if we agree to the Ghost Spirit Sect’s demands, we shouldn’t only see the drawbacks; we should also recognize the benefits! By joining the Ghost Spirit Sect, aside from the vice-sect leader position and the benefit of Ruyan learning the Blood Spirit Art, the demonic path is currently in a golden period of expansion! This way, the Yan Family can openly develop its power after joining. Of course, we must also be careful not to be used as pawns by the Ghost Spirit Sect, needlessly depleting our manpower. Once our Yan Family grows strong enough to stand equal to them, they naturally won’t be able to annex us. If our strength even surpasses theirs, we might even make the Ghost Spirit Sect take the Yan name!
The Confucian scholar spoke at length, painting a bright future for everyone, which lifted the spirits of many.
Of course, some more cautious elders were still extremely worried. After all, would the Ghost Spirit Sect really be so kind as to give them time to gradually grow stronger?
But the Confucian scholar’s next words put these people at ease.
“Of course, we cannot go over completely without any means of restraint! If they sincerely wish for our Yan Family to submit, let the Young Master and the two Core Formation cultivators who accompanied him exchange a Life-Death Curse with Ruyan and two of our uncles. This way, the other side will be unable to harm our Yan Family for at least two to three hundred years, and what our Yan Family lacks most is precisely this time to grow. If the Ghost Spirit Sect is unwilling to pay this price, then we should not even consider submitting to them. It would mean everything they said before was merely a trap set for our Yan Family.” The Confucian scholar finally proposed a method to verify the other side’s sincerity, which made the Yan Family Patriarch and everyone present nod repeatedly, finding this approach very reliable.
“Ruyan, Yan Wen, Yan Qi! Go and sign the Life-Death Curse with the Ghost Spirit Sect guests in the main hall. If they refuse, immediately activate the hall’s formation to trap them there.” After closing his eyes and thinking for a while, the Yan Family Patriarch opened his eyes and ordered.
“As you command, Patriarch!” The stunning young girl beside the Yan Family Patriarch smiled charmingly, gracefully stepped forward to accept the order, along with two middle-aged men.
“Ruyan, be careful. If anything goes wrong, prioritize escaping. I will arrange for support outside!” The Yan Family Patriarch clearly doted on this Yan Family girl immensely, his face full of concern.
“Don’t worry, Patriarch! I have the Purple Cloud Banner to protect me; I’m confident I can escape!” The girl comforted him obediently, then left the hall with the two middle-aged men.
The red-haired elder watched his beloved great-granddaughter leave, still feeling somewhat worried. Without hesitation, he issued a series of commands, setting up an inescapable net around the main hall to support Yan Ruyan and prevent the other side from breaking the formation and escaping.
For a period after that, the meeting hall fell into silence, everyone anxiously awaiting Yan Ruyan and the others’ return.
After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a message talisman suddenly flew into the meeting hall, landing directly in the Yan Family Patriarch’s hand. The Patriarch gently crushed it, and Yan Ruyan’s voice emerged.
“Patriarch, it’s done. As soon as my two uncles and I made the request, the other side agreed. The Life-Death Curse was cast without any issues. Now, I am accompanying them to the main hall, as they said they have more to discuss with you, Patriarch. Please prepare.”
Upon hearing that the Life-Death Curse was completed, the Yan Family Patriarch and the others all breathed a sigh of relief. But when they heard the other side was coming to the meeting hall, everyone was stunned again.
“Everyone else, disperse immediately. Only Xuanye will stay here with me!” After a moment of contemplation, the Yan Family Patriarch decisively ordered.
Immediately, the many elders and stewards in the hall obediently scattered in a rush.
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